Coghlan has voice-to-voice meeting with idol Ripken

Ripken brothers interviewed Coghlan, Morrison on MLB Network Radio show

WASHINGTON — Chris Coghlan didn't have to gush. Logan Morrison did it for him.

The two spent part of their Friday touring the XM Satellite Radio headquarters. While there, they jumped on Cal and Bill Ripken's show on MLB Network Radio. The Ripken brothers were not in studio, but it was still a thrill for Coghlan, who grew up in Maryland idolizing the Orioles' iconic Hall of Fame shortstop.

"Logan was like, 'Oh, yeah, Chris can't concentrate because he loves you or you're his idol,'" Coghlan said. "I was going to tell him off air. Logan told him I wear his number. He was appreciative and said, 'You wear No. 8 well.' I felt more honored than he did. I'm sure he was just being nice."

Morrison in describing Coghlan's on-air encounter started saying "his palms were sweaty" and then seamlessly transitioned into a minute's worth of lyrics from Eminem's hit song Lose Yourself off the "8 Mile" movie soundtrack.

Coghlan recalled how he once tried to get Ripken's autograph at Camden Yards.

"He was always really good about giving autographs," Coghlan said. "He came for a while before the game and of course everybody is bombarding him. I'm down there and he's passing by. I was, 'Alright, I'm going to throw my hat on the field and surely he'll have to pick it up.' He walked right by it.

"I don't remember how old I was, probably 7. I was about to cry because I didn't have my hat and eventually a security guy picked it up and gave it to me. I'd seen other kids try that maneuver. Now, I do pick up the hat and sign it because I'm like, 'That's a good maneuver.' It didn't work for me, but it's worked for other kids wanting my autograph."

The Ripken brothers asked Coghlan and Morrison everything from who they don't like to face on certain teams to their nicknames for some Marlins' teammates. Mike Stanton is "Man-child," but Coghlan wouldn't reveal what they call Gaby Sanchez.

"I look forward to meeting [Cal] one day," Coghlan said. "I have all the respect for him and what he did on the field. It was pretty cool to let him know that."

Vazquez back Right-hander Javy Vazquez rejoined the team after a three-day stint on the bereavement list. A family member on his wife's side died unexpectedly in Puerto Rico.

Friday, Vazquez threw a light bullpen in preparation for Sunday's start. His last time out Monday against the Phillies, Vazquez gave up six runs (five earned) on nine hits over 4 1/3 innings, raising his ERA to 6.88.

"My sister-in-law called me late Sunday night and told me the news," Vazquez said. "It's typical bad news. I was concerned for my wife and my wife's family, but when I'm on the mound I forget all that stuff and try to concentrate on what my job is. It didn't bother me. That's not excuse."

Breather for Infante? With Morrison back, manager Edwin Rodriguez said he envisioned Emilio Bonifacio playing all over, not just third base. One position where he could make a start soon is second base to give Omar Infante a "well deserved" day off, Rodriguez said.

Infante has started each of the Marlins' first 37 games. Though defensively he's been outstanding, Infante entered the weekend hitting .232 with a .562 on-base plus slugging percentage.